Oil and gas is a 6,585.54 billion dollar global industry, making it a huge contributor to the economy and employment of several countries, particularly the Middle East and GCC. These sites use several underground equipment spanning hundreds of miles, including pipes and underwater oil extraction technology. Oil and gas sites require round-the-clock monitoring with automated alerts in case of any mishaps for immediate attention and response.
Why is Video Surveillance so significant for Oil and Gas Businesses?
In the volatile environment of oil and gas sites, the smallest spark can lead to a huge explosion. Thus, these sites are prone to several hazards affecting human safety and the protection of assets. The reason behind this is the amount of mechanical-intensive work involved, the precariousness of the materials they extract from beneath the surface, and their storage in a safe and secure facility.
Installing the latest surveillance systems has various benefits from a business standpoint. Firstly, these cameras, with integrations like IR and motion detection, provide added safety against theft and vandalism. Even from a manager’s standpoint, the cameras help him remotely monitor the crew operations, ensuring minimum lapses and increasing productivity. Furthermore, from a financial perspective, the cameras help detect any anomaly in operations, like potential equipment failure, so that it can be rectified before it causes a major accident at the site. In doing so, surveillance cameras insure companies from accidental costs and liabilities, thus promoting business growth.
Key Advantages of Video Surveillance for the Oil and Gas Industry
• Safety monitoring
Video surveillance solutions protect the crew during risky processes involving dangerous tools and exposure to lethal chemicals, especially when working in confined spaces. Besides explosive materials and working in an atmosphere where fire and electricity may pose a threat to human lives, real-time visual monitoring can be a perfect tool to improve safety and keep a vigilant eye over unsafe activities. The constant security monitoring can boost the quick response time in unpredictable situations, while at the same time offering detailed visual feeds for the first responders, who would then be in a better position to take appropriate action with the best possible strategy.
• Adherence to safety compliance
Another pertinent role that the video surveillance system plays, especially at the extraction points for gas and oil, is adhering to the government-provisioned code of conduct. Most industries consider OSHA as the ideal safety body and train their employees as per their specifications. This compliance prevents accidents and serves as a strong impetus for industries to keep their working environments up to that standard. Similarly, the adherence of workers to these standards make them compliant with safety measures, like avoiding entering a hazardous area unprotected.
• Remote monitoring prevents unauthorised entry into the site
The video surveillance system creates new avenues for remotely observing industrial sites in many ways. Firstly, the system helps the safety team cut down the risk of unauthorised entry, either deliberately by an intruder or by an employee or lost visitor with low-level clearance, straying into a facility, such as an oil and gas plant.
Secondly, security monitoring of critical areas such as oil wells, rigs and gas lines is extremely important. Although regular inspection of these sites is very important, project managers might want to consistently monitor or avoid multiple visits to such sites by using video surveillance to keep things in check. As per a report by Navigant Research, such advantages of video security monitoring is exactly what is transforming the oil and gas industry, as demand for such equipment continues to rise. The report also stated that as and when the oil and gas prices drop, management in these industries will try to explore new ways such as video surveillance to improve safety and operational efficiency. And it is possible that in the distant future, remote drilling using video security solutions might become a reality.
• Enhanced resiliency using mesh networking and wireless technology
Though the oil and gas surveillance system is helpful in the oil and gas industries, it can be further enhanced by using other technologies. For instance, by integrating mesh topology in security monitoring. Through this technology, multiple nodes in infrastructure are directly and non-hierarchically connected, allowing smooth flow of traffic. The use of mesh networking in combination with video surveillance can be extremely useful in huge drilling sites or at an expansive power plant, particularly when an incident of outage or emergency occurs.
Similarly, wireless technology can also enhance video surveillance in certain circumstances. For example, wireless surveillance solutions such as IP-based cameras can be used to remotely observe offshore oil rigs. Their ease of deployment and flexibility can prove to be beneficial to the safety of workers, security, and general operational efficiency.
• Infrastructure security
Benefits of video surveillance including intrusion detection of crew and hazardous objects in explosion-prone zones of the oil and gas industry. With its explosion-protection features, SharpEagle surveillance provides a complete security solution for on-shore and off-shore sites. Additionally, its integrations like smart detection and image analysis technology helps detect abnormal situations in the restricted zones remotely, protecting the human and equipment infrastructure in the industry.
Read More- 5 reasons that make Ex-proof CCTV surveillance is important in the oil and gas industry
Best Practices for Video Surveillance in the Oil and Gas Industry
Investment in high-resolution cameras for entry and exit points: While low-resolution cameras still serve the purpose of surveillance, high-resolution cameras are used to carry out more advanced functions including facial recognition for authorised personnel and details about the equipment in explosive zones to provide an additional layer of security to the industry.
Choosing explosion-proof cameras over traditional cameras for surveillance: As discussed before, even a single spark in an explosive environment can be fatal. To ensure minimum risk of explosions, crew fatalities, and equipment damage, opt for surveillance technology that avoids contact of any spark with the outside atmosphere and contains it within the housing of the wire.
Check for easy camera integration with process systems before investment: Through easy installation and integration, the managers and supervisors can carry out the operations seamlessly. For instance, integration of the temperature fluctuation alarm with the video surveillance system ensures that every time the temperature rises or drops beyond the optimum range, the warning alarm automatically activates the video footage of the zone, promoting immediate action in case of emergencies.
Optimise surveillance with video analytics: Simultaneously monitoring 200 cameras at an oil and gas site can be challenging. As a result, the managers often miss out on the crucial details in the operations. Video analytics help in smart detection of any anomaly in the operations and prioritises that zone for surveillance, ensuring prompt and efficient deployment of resources and manpower.
The Checklist for a Good Video Surveillance Solution for the Oil and Gas Industry
Ex-proof casing
Good oil and gas video surveillance cameras are ex-proof and usually made of really durable materials like fiberglass, polyester, and stainless steel. The casing of such cameras protects the device from combustible gases, dust, and identical particles from entering inside it.
Ex-proof reinforced mounts
Quality video surveillance cameras are mounted by brackets that are capable of holding five times the weight of the CCTV, preventing them from toppling over.
Closed-loop placing system
Oil and gas sites can benefit greatly from explosion-proof cameras if they have smart closed-loop positioning systems, which are set to return to the same angle without delay, minimising blindspots and losing on critical moments during operations.
Viewing window made out of tempered glass
To prevent the camera's viewing window from breaking under pressure, make sure that the viewing window of the ex-proof CCTV is made of tempered glass. Such glasses endure tremendous pressure of up to 10,000 pounds per square inch.
Easy Remote Access
An ideal ex-proof CCTV camera system allows the operators to monitor the worksite remotely through live video streams at any time. It also provides the option of archiving recordings for record-keeping, legal purposes, and future reference.
Commercially Affordable
Instead of cutting initial costs and compromising product quality, an ideal explosion-proof CCTV camera will be commercially affordable after installation due to its maintenance costs — thus ensuring hassle-free operations in critical zones.
How SharpEagle Surveillance Cameras Protect the Oil and Gas Industry
SharpEagle’s range of explosion-proof cameras provide cost-effective surveillance solutions for the remotest oil and gas facilities. Our cameras assures:
Whether it is explosion proof cameras for oil and gas industry, or explosion-proof portable solutions our products have a proven track record of protecting lives and properties, as well as enhancing productivity. Our security solutions can keep your investments safe against intruders, device malfunction and unsafe practices at work. Contact our experts today to learn more about video surveillance solutions in the oil and gas industry.
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